BIG CHINA SUN OPENS U.S. PLANT

Suntech Begins Manufacturing in the United States; The new module production facility has an initial 30MW of annual capacity and will employ more than 75 operators, engineers and professionals by the end of 2010.
9 October 2010 (World of Photovoltaics)

"Suntech Power Holdings Co., Ltd., the world's largest producer of solar panels, …opened its first U.S. manufacturing plant in Goodyear, Arizona. The new module production facility has an initial 30MW of annual capacity and will employ more than 75 operators, engineers and professionals by the end of 2010. Due to strong interest from customers, Suntech is already making plans to expand the facility to 50MW early next year and targets to employ more than 150 people by the end of 2011."

[Dr. Zhengrong Shi, founder/chair/CEO, Suntech:] "Solar jobs follow solar installations, and more than 60% of all industry jobs are created in sales, finance, and installation, in jobs that cannot be exported. On average, the solar industry employs about 15 to 30 people for every MW of installed solar capacity - 6 to 8 times more than the traditional energy industry…The governments that advance clear and consistent policies to diversify with clean energy will create thousands of green jobs while achieving energy security."

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" The 117,000 square foot facility features state-of-the-art manufacturing and testing equipment and will initially focus on producing Suntech's 280W Vd-series modules, primarily used for commercial and utility-scale electricity generation. All modules produced at the facility will be compliant for procurement in American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) projects. Suntech plans to expand the facility, in concert with the growing U.S. solar industry, to reach up to 120MW of annual production capacity. In addition, the local operation will bolster solar research collaboration between Suntech and Arizona State University…"

[Dr. Zhengrong Shi, founder/chair/CEO, Suntech:] "The initial capacity of our Goodyear facility is three times larger than our first module production facility built eight years ago, in 2002; and the cost of generating solar energy has fallen by more than 50% since then…Just imagine what we will accomplish over the next eight years as we work together and continue to drive solar to cost competitiveness in the United States, and everywhere under the sun."

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"Suntech selected Goodyear based on a combination of factors, including costs, logistics, and statewide renewable energy policies, as well as a supportive local business climate. The Greater Phoenix Economic Council played a key role in assisting Suntech with its selection process. Suntech remains encouraged by Arizona's clear and consistent policy commitment to the growth and development of solar, including the state's policy to meet 15% of its energy consumption with renewable sources by 2025 and distributed generation set-aside…"

[Arizona Governor Jan Brewer :] "Suntech Goodyear represents our efforts to grow jobs in Arizona while demonstrating the importance of renewable energy, like solar, in diversifying and strengthening our state economy…The U.S. solar market is dramatically expanding…This plant…[illustrates] that Arizona's forward-looking policies are resulting in local job creation."